Channel screed with fastening clips

ABSTRACT

A channel screed that is less likely to cause troweled wall covering material to crack is provided. The channel screed includes a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges. Channel flanges extend from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member. Semi-circular receptacles are located along the bottom member lengthwise edges. The semi-circular receptacles are adapted to receive fastening clips to be secured into place. The fastening clips have a width of about one inch and may be positioned along butt joints and adjacent to framing members for attaching the channel screed to the framing members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a channel screed, and more particularly, to a channel screed with fastening clips.

2. Description of Related Art

Channel screeds are generally known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,282,592, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a channel screed that serves as a means to which molding or other trimmings may be attached; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,720, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a channel screed used for aesthetic purposes in the construction of wall surfaces for providing an aesthetic partitioning in a wall covered with plaster, cement, concrete, mortar, stucco, or drywall.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional channel screed 10. The conventional channel screed 10 includes channel flanges 11 and base/nail flanges 12. The channel flanges 11 provide a guide for an even application of plaster, stucco, or other exterior material 13 and allow the expansion or contraction of adjoining panels of the exterior material 13. The base/nail flanges 12 allow the channel screed 10 to be secured to framing members/studs in a building/structure.

As framing members/studs in a building/structure shift through time, the base/nail flanges 12 may cause the exterior material 13 to crack 14 along the external edges of the base/nail flanges 12. Accordingly, there is a need for a channel screed that may be properly secured to framing members/studs of a building without causing exterior material 13 to crack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A channel screed that is less likely to cause cracks in adjacent exterior material is provided. The channel screed includes a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges. Channel flanges extend from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member. Semi-circular receptacles are located along bottom member lengthwise edges. The semi-circular receptacles are adapted to allow fastening clips to be secured into place.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the channel flanges each have a lip extending outwardly and parallel to the bottom member at a top end.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the semi-circular receptacles each have a center and each include an upper protruding member and a lower protruding member. The lower protruding member extends outwardly parallel to the bottom member. The upper protruding member extends outwardly along a radius extending from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper protruding member extends about 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper protruding member extends greater than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom member includes venting slots or holes.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the channel screed further includes at least one fastening clip having one end received into the semi-circular receptacles.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each include a hole for allowing a screw or nail to be attached to a framing member through the hole.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips have a width of about an inch.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each have a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange. The hinge connect portion extends at an angle from the fastening clip flange. The fastening clip flange extends adjacent and parallel to the bottom member when secured and hinged into place.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each have a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange. The hinge connect portion has a semi-circular rounded portion on a side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on another side.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hinge connect portion includes a radial portion and a connecting flange portion. The radial portion has a shape of a cylinder of a fixed radius. The connecting flange portion extends from the radial portion and connects with the fastening clip flange such that the connecting flange portion extends parallel to the fastening clip flange.

A pair of channel screeds abutting end to end is also provided. The pair of channel screeds have abutting ends, the abutting ends being an abutting joint. A fastening clip is received in the semi-circular receptacle bridging the abutting joint to lock the pair of channel screeds into abutment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional channel screed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a channel screed with fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds with fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds with fastening clips according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a fastening clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fastening clip of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view depicting channel screeds and fastening clips with respect to stud locations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a channel screed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a fastening clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a channel screed according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fastening clip according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention suitable for use with the channel screed of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a channel screed showing attachment of fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a channel screed with fastening clips according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a channel screed 20 with fastening clips 21 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed 20 may be made of a metal such as aluminum and includes a bottom member 22, channel flanges 23, and semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 24. The channel flanges 23 are connected to lengthwise edges of the bottom member 22 and extend perpendicular to the bottom member 22. The channel flanges 22 may include lips 25, underneath which an exterior material such as stucco or plaster may be troweled. The semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 24 are located along the lengthwise edges of the bottom member 22. The semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 24 allow the fastening clips 21 to be inserted, rotated, and locked into place within the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 24. The fastening clips 21 may be inserted into any desired location. The fastening clips 21 may have a width of about one inch and may include pre-punched holes 26 for allowing nails or screws to be easily inserted for attachment to framing members.

Because the channel screed 20 does not have a continuous base/nail flange 12, but rather a plurality of fastening clips 21 spaced apart and having a width of about one inch, the channel screed 20 with fastening clips 21 eliminates cracking of exterior material troweled to edges of the channel screed 20. Alternatively, the fastening clips 21 may have a larger or a smaller width. However, the larger the width of the fastening clips 21, the greater the probability of cracking. Smaller widths such as ½ inch may also be suitable. If the width is too small, such as ⅛ of an inch, the fastening clips 21 may detach too easily from the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 24. Thus, the fastening clips 21 may have a range of widths, varying between about ¼ of an inch and 1 ½ inches, which is the approximate thickness of a stud.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds 30 with fastening clips 31 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screeds 30 may have various lengths, but typically are about 10 feet long. To obtain channels screed sections longer than 10 feet, multiple channel screeds may be aligned and secured together with fastening clips 31 inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 32 at butt joints 33. The fastening clips 31 are inserted along the framing members/studs typically at intervals of 16 inches.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds 30 with fastening clips 34 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the multiple channel screeds may be aligned and secured together with fastening clips 34 inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 32 at butt joints 33. The fastening clips 34 may be inserted along butt-joint locations that do not correspond with framing members/studs, but may additionally be inserted along butt-joint locations that correspond to the framing members/studs typically at intervals of 16 inches.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a fastening clip 34 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fastening clip 34 of FIG. 5. The fastening clip 34 may have a width of about one inch and has a hinge connect portion 35 and a fastening clip flange 36. The hinge connect portion 35 is shaped to have a tight fit within the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portion 32 such that channel screeds may be securely attached to each other when butt joints 33 do not line up with framing members/studs. In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge connect portion 35 includes a semi-circular rounded portion on one side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on the other side.

FIG. 7 is a front view depicting channel screeds 30 and fastening clips 31, 34 with respect to stud locations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 7, the fastening clips 31 may be used at locations that line up with framing members/studs 37 and the fastening clips 34, which have a tighter fit and do not include a hole for attaching to a framing member/stud 37, may be used at butt joints 33 that do not line up with framing members/studs 37. Although not depicted in FIG. 7, the fastening clips 34 may additionally be used at butt joints 33 that line up with framing members/studs 37. The fastening clips 34 have a tighter fit and therefore are necessary for use at butt joints 33 that do not line up with framing members/studs 37. The fastening clips 31 are easier to attach to the channel screeds 30 and therefore are best used along framing members/studs 37 located toward the middle sections of the channel screeds 30. The fastening clips 31 may additionally be used at butt joints 33 that correspond to framing members/studs 37, as the fastening clips 31 securely affix channel screeds 30 together once the fastening clips 31 are attached to the framing members/studs 37.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a channel screed 40 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed 40 includes a bottom member 41, channel flanges 42, and semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 43. Each of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 43 have a center and include an upper protruding member 44 and a lower protruding member 45. The lower protruding member 45 extends outwardly parallel to the bottom member 41. The upper protruding member 44 extends outwardly along a radius extending from a center of each semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion 43. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper protruding member 44 extends 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion 43.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a fastening clip 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fastening clip 50 has a hinge connect portion 51 and a fastening clip flange 52. The hinge connect portion 51 includes a rounded head/radial portion 53 and a connecting flange portion 54. The rounded head/radial portion 53 has a shape of a cylinder with a fixed radius and is shaped to fit into the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion of the channel screed. The connecting flange portion 54 extends from the rounded head/radial portion 53 and connects with the fastening clip flange 52 such that the connecting flange portion 54 extends parallel to the fastening clip flange 52. Because the fastening clip 50 is formed with a 90° bend adjacent to the rounded head/radial portion 53, when the fastening clip 50 is lowered to horizontal it is locked into the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portions of the channel screed and cannot be pulled out. However, once inserted, the fastening clip 50 may be slid horizontally along the length of the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portions.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a channel screed 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed 60 includes bottom member 61, channel flanges 62, semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 63, upper protruding members 64, and lower protruding members 65. According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper protruding members 64 may extend further than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 63 such that an alternative fastening clip may be secured in place.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fastening clip 70 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fastening clip 70 has a hinge connect portion 71 and a fastening clip flange 72. The hinge connect portion 71 extends at an angle from the fastening clip flange 72 and is narrower in thickness for allowing the fastening clip 70 to be secured into the narrower slot of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 63.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a channel screed 80 showing attachment of fastening clips 81 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. To attach the fastening clips 81 to the channel screed 80, the fastening clips 81 are first elevated and the rounded head/radial portion 84 is inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions 82 and are then lowered/rotated until the fastening clips extend parallel to and flush with the bottom member 83. When the fastening clips 81 extend parallel to the bottom member 83, the channel screed 80 may be secured to a framing member by securing the fastening clips 81 to framing members of a building/structure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a channel screed 90 with fastening clips 91 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed 90 includes bottom member 92 with a plurality of vent slots or holes 93. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vent slots 93 may be ⅛″ wide by 1″ long, spaced 1½″ on center lengthwise, with multiple rows spaced laterally ½″ on center such that each row of vent slots lengthwise provides approximately 1 square inch of vented area per lineal foot.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope. 

1. A channel screed comprising: a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges; channel flanges extending from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member; and semi-circular receptacles located along bottom member lengthwise edges, the semi-circular receptacles being adapted to allow fastening clips to be secured into place.
 2. The channel screed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel flanges each have a lip extending outwardly and parallel to the bottom member at a top end.
 3. The channel screed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-circular receptacles each have a center and each include an upper protruding member and a lower protruding member, the lower protruding member extending outwardly parallel to the bottom member, the upper protruding member extending outwardly along a radius extending from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 4. The channel screed as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper protruding member extends about 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 5. The channel screed as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper protruding member extends greater than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 6. The channel screed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom member includes venting slots or holes.
 7. The channel screed as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one fastening clip having one end received into the semi-circular receptacles.
 8. The channel screed as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one fastening clip includes a hole for allowing a screw or nail to be attached to a framing member through the hole.
 9. The channel screed as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one fastening clip has a width of about an inch.
 10. The channel screed as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one fastening clip has a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion extending at an angle from the fastening clip flange, the fastening clip flange extending adjacent and parallel to the bottom member when secured and hinged into place.
 11. The channel screed as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hinge connect portion includes a radial portion and a connecting flange portion, the radial portion having a shape of a cylinder of a fixed radius, the connecting flange portion extending from the radial portion and connecting with the fastening clip flange such that the connecting flange portion extends parallel to the fastening clip flange.
 12. The channel screed as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one fastening clip has a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion having a semi-circular rounded portion on a side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on another side.
 13. A channel screed comprising: a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges; channel flanges extending from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member, the channel flanges each having a lip extending outwardly and parallel to the bottom member at a top end; semi-circular receptacles located along bottom member lengthwise edges, the semi-circular receptacles being adapted to allow fastening clips to be secured into place, the semi-circular receptacles each having a center and each including an upper protruding member and a lower protruding member, the lower protruding member extending outwardly parallel to the bottom member, the upper protruding member extending outwardly along a radius extending from the center of each semi-circular receptacle; and at least one fastening clip having one end received into the semi-circular receptacles adjacent framing members, said at least one fastening clip having a width of about an inch, said at least one fastening clip having a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion extending at an angle from the fastening clip flange, the fastening clip flange extending adjacent and parallel to the bottom member when secured and hinged into place.
 14. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, wherein the upper protruding member extends about 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 15. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, wherein the upper protruding member extends greater than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 16. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bottom member includes venting slots or holes.
 17. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one fastening clip includes a hole for allowing a screw or nail to be attached to a framing member through the hole.
 18. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hinge connect portion includes a radial portion and a connecting flange portion, the radial portion having a shape of a cylinder of a fixed radius, the connecting flange portion extending from the radial portion and connecting with the fastening clip flange such that the connecting flange portion extends parallel to the fastening clip flange.
 19. The channel screed as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: at least one butt-joint fastening clip having one end received into the semi-circular receptacles adjacent butt-joints, said at least one butt-joint fastening clip having a width of about an inch, said at least one butt-joint fastening clip having a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion being adapted to fit tighter into the semi-circular receptacles than said at least one fastening clip.
 20. The channel screed as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hinge connect portion has a semi-circular rounded portion on a side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on another side.
 21. A method of providing a securing means for a channel screed, the channel screed having channel flanges and a bottom member, the securing means being adapted to secure the channel screed to framing members of a structure, the method comprising: forming a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges; forming channel flanges extending from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member; forming the channel flanges each having a lip extending outwardly and parallel to the bottom member at a top end; forming semi-circular receptacles along bottom member lengthwise edges; adapting the semi-circular receptacles to allow a plurality of fastening clips to be secured into place; forming each of the semi-circular receptacles with a center and an upper protruding member and a lower protruding member, the lower protruding member extending outwardly parallel to the bottom member, the upper protruding member extending outwardly along a radius extending from the center of each semi-circular receptacle; and forming the plurality of fastening clips having a width of about an inch and with a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion extending at an angle from the fastening clip flange, the fastening clip flange extending adjacent and parallel to the bottom member when secured in place, the plurality of framing member fastening clips being adapted for attachment to framing members.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming a plurality of butt-joint fastening clips having a width of about an inch and with a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange, the hinge connect portion having a semi-circular rounded portion on a side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on another side, the plurality of butt-joint fastening clips being adapted to secure channel screeds together at butt joints.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: positioning the plurality of fastening clips into the semi-circular receptacles corresponding to framing members that do not align with butt-joints; positioning the plurality of butt-joint fastening clips into the semi-circular receptacles corresponding to butt-joints that do not align with framing members; and positioning either the plurality of fastening clips or the plurality of butt-joint fastening clips into the semi-circular receptacles corresponding to framing members and to butt-joints that are aligned.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming the upper protruding member extending about 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming the upper protruding member extending greater than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming the bottom member with venting slots or holes.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming the plurality of fastening clips each with a hole for allowing a screw or nail to be attached to a framing member through the hole.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: forming the hinge connect portion with a radial portion and a connecting flange portion, the radial portion having a shape of a cylinder of a fixed radius, the connecting flange portion extending from the radial portion and connecting with the fastening clip flange such that the connecting flange portion extends parallel to the fastening clip flange.
 29. A pair of channel screeds abutting end to end, the abutting ends being an abutting joint, wherein a fastening clip is received in the semi-circular receptacle bridging the abutting joint to lock the pair of channel screeds into abutment. 